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Crime by the Book

A girl investigates crime fiction from around the world, by the book.
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the cbtb blog

One girl's ongoing investigation of the crime fiction genre.

Siglufjordur Photo Tour.jpg

Photo Tour of Siglufjörður with Ragnar Jonasson (DARK ICELAND)

November 30, 2017

If you haven't yet discovered Ragnar Jonasson's outstanding Dark Iceland mystery series,  now is the perfect time to start. Influenced in equal measure by the stunning beauty of Iceland and the equally stunning plotting of Queen of Crime Agatha Christie, these books will make the perfect choice for winter reading material - or for any season, really. On December 5th, 2017, American readers are in for a treat: the second book in the Dark Iceland series, NIGHTBLIND, will be released in the US! To help celebrate this upcoming publication - and to entice readers unfamiliar with Jonasson’s work to dig into his series - I’m thrilled to provide you with an insider’s glimpse into Siglufjörður, the Icelandic town that provides the backdrop for this internationally-bestselling crime fiction series. 

Readers around the world have been captivated by Jonasson’s lyrical, vivid portrayal of this small fishing town on the northern coast of Iceland, and today’s blog post will give you a sense of the incredible beauty of the land central to this series—a beauty which Jonasson masterfully represents in the Dark Iceland books. Readers will discover so much to love in the Dark Iceland books, from their gorgeous backdrop (which we're about to explore!) to their classic crime-inspired tone to the engaging, endearing characters found within them. In the US, the Dark Iceland series includes (so far!): SNOWBLIND (on sale now!) and NIGHTBLIND (releasing 12/5/17). In today's blog post, you'll get a sense of the town of Siglufjörður - from a few fun facts abut the town, to a mini-Q&A with Jonasson about why he chose to set his Dark Iceland series, to an absolutely stunning photo tour with commentary from Jonasson himself! 

Now, join me for a photo tour of Siglufjörður, with Ragnar Jonasson as our guide! 


How Do I Pronounce "Siglufjörður"?

First things first: this handy YouTube video (courtesy of YouTube channel Cool Icelandic Lessons) will teach you how to pronounce this town name! Skip to minute 1:00 to hear Siglufjörður pronounced. 


Where in the world is Siglufjörður? 

Siglufjörður is a small fishing town on the northern coast of Iceland. You'll see it highlighted on the map below! 

Image courtesy of The Herring House.

Image courtesy of The Herring House.

A few fun facts about the town: 

Town Population: 1,230
Distance from Reykjavik: Approx. 235 miles; 4 hours & 45 minute drive
Nearest Airport: 1-hour drive, Akureyri
Daylight Hours: Siglufjörður experiences midnight sun from June 9 to July 1. On December 21st, the shortest day of the year, Siglufjörður has only 2 hours and 39 minutes of daylight.


Mini Q&A with Ragnar Jonasson: 

Crime by the Book: Could you tell us about why you chose to set the Dark Iceland series in Siglufjordur? 

Ragnar Jonasson: I chose Siglufjörður as the setting for my Dark Iceland series because I have a very strong personal connection to the town. My grandparents used to live there and my father grew up there. We still own their house and visit every chance we get. The house is still in its original form and being there is like visiting old times, full of memories. I think my first visit there was when I was 3 months’ old. Siglufjörður is also a perfect setting for a crime novel due to its isolation and harsh elements. Daylight is scarce in wintertime and the town can be easily blocked off from the outside world when it starts snowing.

CBTB: In Book 1 in the series, SNOWBLIND, the town is cut off from the rest of the country when a blizzard blocks off the one road that goes into and from the town. Is this possible in real life? Have you heard stories of this happening?

RJ: Yes, this is very much the reality of Icelanders who live outside of Reykjavik. Siglufjörður is surrounded by sea and mountains and is only accessible through a mountain tunnel. Sometimes weather and road conditions make it impossible to access the town, especially before the second tunnel into town was opened, in 2010. They regularly have to close the road due to risk of avalanches, and the most recent avalanche closed one of the roads into town as recently as this November.

CBTB: Do you have any personal favorite locations in Siglufjordur?

RJ: I love to walk to the marina and breathe in the fresh sea air and take in the scenery.


Photo Tour: Siglufjörður
With Ragnar Jonasson

I can truly say that the below photos of Siglufjörður took my breath away. It’s hard to imagine a part of the world more stark and beautiful—I have now added visiting Siglufjörður to my bucket list! Thanks to the stunning images below, we will explore the town that inspired Jonasson’s Dark Iceland series, and Jonasson himself will provide some wonderful commentary on the beautiful scenes pictured here! 

Note: you can click on any photo in this post to enlarge it.

Many thanks to Sigurdur Aegisson for allowing me to use the below photos for this Photo Tour. All photos are property of Sigurdur Aegisson, and may not be reproduced without permission. 

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Ragnar: Siglufjörður in wintertime is a great place for skiing, and often picture postcard perfect, as there are not many towns in Iceland, if any, with as much snowfall as Siglufjörður.

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Ragnar: The tranquility is one of the best things about Siglufjörður. The pace of life there is very different from big cities.

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Ragnar: The current church (featured in Snowblind) with its distinguishable red bell tower was built in 1932 but there has been a church in Siglufjörður since 1614.

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Ragnar: The times are changing. The green building in the center of the photo is a brand new boutique hotel and as you can see the architecture is very much in line with the atmosphere of the town. Fish has always been the lifeline of Siglufjördur, but tourism is becoming ever more important.

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Ragnar: Strákagöng is a single track tunnel that is 830 meters long. Before Strákagöng, the only way to get to Siglufjörður was by sea or by air, or by a very difficult mountain road which was only open in the height of summer.

CBTB: The plot of the first book in the Dark Iceland series, SNOWBLIND, is centered around a snowstorm that blocks off the tunnel leading to and from town, essentially turning a whole town into a "locked room mystery." Learn more about SNOWBLIND here! 

Ragnar: Strákagöng, a tunnel that takes you to Siglufjörður, was opened in 1967. Not for the claustrophobics.

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Ragnar: This never gets old. I am always lost for words when I see the Northern Lights, and they rarely shine anywhere brighter than in the north of Iceland.

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And that concludes our photo tour of Siglufjörður! Many, many thanks to Ragnar Jonasson and the beautiful photographer Sigurdur Aegisson for making this blog post possible - what an absolute pleasure to be able to share these stunning photos with you today! 

To delve into the world of Siglufjörður even more, make sure to pick up Jonasson's Dark Iceland books - and stay tuned for a fantastic Q&A with author Ragnar Jonasson coming next week, where he and I discuss his newest US series installment, NIGHTBLIND. Grab a copy of SNOWBLIND and pre-order NIGHTBLIND via the links below! 

Find SNOWBLIND Here // Find NIGHTBLIND Here

Featured
Feb 15, 2019
Q&A: Yrsa Sigurdardottir, Author of THE RECKONING
Feb 15, 2019

No one writes crime fiction quite like Yrsa Sigurdardottir. Dark and gritty, layered and complex, Yrsa’s exceptional crime novels are must-reads for any fan of the Nordic Noir genre - or any reader who just wants a great procedural to sink their teeth into. In 2018, Yrsa launched her new series (the Children’s House series) in the U.S. with The Legacy - and this week, she’s back with book two, THE RECKONING - and it’s every bit as good as its predecessor. The Children’s House series is quickly becoming one of my personal favorites; these books are unflinching in their examination of the lasting legacy of childhood trauma, exploring difficult themes with sensitivity and thoughtfulness. And beyond that, they’re just fantastic crime reading, filled with all the atmosphere and intrigue of the best mysteries. I’m thrilled to welcome Yrsa to Crime by the Book today to give us the inside scoop on her newest release, THE RECKONING! In this Q&A, Yrsa touches on everything from her series’ two protagonists to her writing process to how dangerous Iceland really is. Read on for more details on THE RECKONING, and for my Q&A with Yrsa!

Feb 15, 2019
Feb 14, 2019
Book Review: THE STRANGER DIARIES by Elly Griffiths
Feb 14, 2019

How is this the first time I’ve read a book by Elly Griffiths? There’s no other way to say it: I’ve been missing out. Griffiths’ exceptional standalone THE STRANGER DIARIES is a spring 2019 must-read. Layered and immersive, atmospheric and authentic, this brilliant twist on Gothic suspense will captivate the reader. Following Clare Cassidy, a teacher who specializes in Gothic literature, THE STRANGER DIARIES takes readers into a bookish mystery with sinister undertones. When one of Clare’s closest colleagues is found murdered, Clare is grief-stricken—but things take an ominous turn when a clue is discovered on the corpse that tie the gruesome crime to the work of a Gothic writer who happens to be one of Clare’s favorites. Could life be imitating art? As Clare ventures into the dark heart of the goings on at her place of employment, it begins to appear that this work of fiction is playing out in the real world—to deadly end. In THE STRANGER DIARIES, Griffiths masterfully blends Gothic influence with modern-day suspense sensibility, and the result is effortless, spine-tingling, page-turning fun. Masterfully blurring the lines between reality and fiction, Elly Griffiths has crafted an exceptional bookish mystery that is both an ode to Gothic literature and an effective work of Gothic suspense unto itself.

Feb 14, 2019
Feb 12, 2019
Q&A: Lucy Foley, Author of THE HUNTING PARTY
Feb 12, 2019

Fans of Agatha Christie and Ruth Ware, listen up: today’s featured book is for you! I’m thrilled to welcome Lucy Foley to Crime by the Book today to discuss her brand-new suspense novel, THE HUNTING PARTY - available today, February 12th! This stylish, atmospheric suspense novel takes the concept of the “locked room mystery” and applies it to a luxurious hunting lodge in the Scottish highlands, where a group of friends find themselves snowed in during a blizzard. Part ode to classic crime in the style of Agatha Christie, part modern story of psychological suspense, THE HUNTING PARTY is seriously entertaining and appealing on so many levels. From its claustrophobic premise to its swoon-worthy locale and juicy interpersonal secrets, THE HUNTING PARTY is a fantastic choice for winter reading. Fans of Ruth Ware - and readers who just plain love a fun, engaging suspense read - will find Lucy Foley’s newest release right up their alley.

Feb 12, 2019
Feb 6, 2019
Q&A: C.J. Tudor, Author of THE HIDING PLACE
Feb 6, 2019

C.J. Tudor has quickly established herself as one of my favorite crime writers. Her debut novel THE CHALK MAN blew me away; her sophomore novel THE HIDING PLACE - released this week - is even better. Tudor is a fierce talent: a writer who blurs genre lines, pushes the envelope, and delivers stories as smart as they are creepy. I’m thrilled to welcome C.J. Tudor to CBTB today to discuss her brand-new release, THE HIDING PLACE! (Note: In the U.K., this book is titled The Taking of Annie Thorne.) Read on for the book’s plot details, a snippet from my review of THE HIDING PLACE, and a fantastic conversation with C.J. Tudor herself!

Feb 6, 2019
Feb 5, 2019
New Release Tuesday: February 5th, 2019
Feb 5, 2019

Clear your TBR list: today’s newly-released crime fiction begs to be read immediately. Today, Tuesday, February 5th, marks the release of not one, not two, not three, but four exciting new crime fiction releases—and this blog post will give you a quick rundown of each! From a debut psychological suspense novel to a new Nordic Noir release from one of Scandinavia’s bestselling authors, there’s a fantastic variety of stellar crime fiction on sale today. Read on for my picks for this week’s new crime fiction!

Feb 5, 2019
Jan 29, 2019
Excerpt: THE STRANGER DIARIES by Elly Griffiths
Jan 29, 2019

A modern take on Gothic suspense with a literary twist? Sign me up. I first learned of Griffiths’ forthcoming standalone suspense novel THE STRANGER DIARIES at Bouchercon this past fall, and have been eagerly anticipating its release ever since. In THE STRANGER DIARIES, Griffiths (best known for her Ruth Galloway series) crafts a suspense novel centered around a teacher of Gothic literature, who finds the plot of one of the books she uses in her courses playing out in real life… to potentially deadly end. From its stunning cover to its bookish plot and Gothic-inspired touches, THE STRANGER DIARIES has all the makings of an instant-favorite for me - and I couldn’t be more excited to give you the inside scoop on this book today! Thanks to the team at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, I’m thrilled to share with CBTB readers an early excerpt of the book’s first chapter. THE STRANGER DIARIES releases in the US in March, but you can get a taste of Griffiths’ captivating writing right here. And let me just say: I’m currently reading THE STRANGER DIARIES, and have found it to be absolutely gripping from page one. So far, it’s exceeding all my expectations, and I can’t wait for you to give it a read, too! Read on for plot details, a selection of the incredible early praise the book is already receiving, links to pre-order, and (of course!) the excerpt itself.

Jan 29, 2019
Jan 27, 2019
Book Review: RED SNOW by Will Dean
Jan 27, 2019

In 2018, Will Dean captured the attention of crime readers around the world with his chilling debut, DARK PINES. Now, he’s back—and his sophomore novel is even better than his first. In RED SNOW, readers return to the fictional town of Gavrik, Sweden, and to all its glorious quirkiness and personality. But there’s something sinister happening in this quiet town. First, a suicide; then, a gruesome, almost ritualistic murder—what could be next? Rejoining series protagonist Tuva Moodyson, a reporter for the town’s local newspaper, readers will go down the rabbit hole and into the twisting, turning case of “the Ferryman,” a killer so named due to the licorice coins he placed over the eyes of his victim. RED SNOW is, as expected, a highly atmospheric and chilling thriller. But even better is what I didn’t expect this story to be, and that is a touch zany and brimming with personality. Dean masterfully laces his crime novel with quirks and quiet jokes galore; this isn’t a comic novel by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a crime novel with a dark, eccentric sense of humor. (Fans of Twin Peaks, this one’s for you.) RED SNOW is a fresh take on northern crime fiction, guaranteed to deliver thrills and a few laughs along the way.

Jan 27, 2019
Jan 23, 2019
Your Early 2019 Nordic Noir Reading List
Jan 23, 2019

Nothing beats a great Scandinavian crime novel in the chilly winter months, and this winter is brimming with fantastic Nordic Noir for you to devour. Whether you’re a fan of paperbacks or hardcovers, series installments or standalones, there’s a Nordic crime novel for you releasing this winter—and you’ll find my personal picks for highly-anticipated early 2019 releases right here! In this post, I’m rounding up the most exciting Scandinavian crime fiction releasing from January 2019 through March 2019. Some of these titles are paperback releases of hardcovers I’ve already read (and loved!), some are brand-new hardcovers that I haven’t even read yet—but they’re all highly-anticipated releases that I’m so excited to share with you! If you’re looking for a new Nordic Noir release (or two!) to devour this winter, look no further: your early 2019 Nordic Noir reading list is right here.

Jan 23, 2019
Jan 20, 2019
Book Review: THE BONE KEEPER by Luca Veste
Jan 20, 2019

Luca Veste’s chilling standalone crime novel THE BONE KEEPER will add a welcome dose of spine-tingling fun to your early-2019 TBR. Part police procedural, part urban legend, THE BONE KEEPER reads like the creepiest story kids in your neighborhood used to tell to scare each other… only this time, it’s all grown up, and it might just be real. In his newest work, Veste slyly weaves together a detail-oriented police procedural with a story of suspense that’s the stuff of nightmares—and the result is the twisted, engrossing THE BONE KEEPER. The ideal reader for THE BONE KEEPER will be one who loves an immersive, layered police procedural, replete with all the details of a police investigation, but who also looks for books with a unique edge and personality—all qualities that THE BONE KEEPER has in spades. This slow-burning crime novel will best suit readers who love a traditional police procedural structure; if you fall into that category, you will find THE BONE KEEPER to be a highly original - and highly creepy - winter read.

Jan 20, 2019
Jan 18, 2019
CBTB's Weekend Checklist - 1/18/19
Jan 18, 2019

Happy Friday, reader! With a long weekend ahead of us in the U.S., I thought this would be the perfect moment to share my first “Weekend Checklist” of 2019! If you’re a new CBTB reader, my “weekend checklists” are every-so-often features that I share, in which I round up all the different crime fiction entertainment I’m recommending - and enjoying myself! - over the weekend. In this post, you’ll find recommendations for a weekend binge-read, a TV show I’m personally watching myself, a true crime podcast, and more. These posts are always such fun to put together, and I hope you’ll love reading this Weekend Checklist as much as I loved writing it! Without further ado, let’s dive right in. Happy reading!

Jan 18, 2019
In Scandinavian Crime, Book Recommendation Tags Dark Iceland, Ragnar Jonasson, Iceland, Siglufjordur, Nightblind, Snowblind
← November 2017 Wrap-UpCBTB Recommends #2: Lighter Suspense and Stalker Thrillers →

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Hunting Game (An Embla Nyström Investigation)
By Helene Tursten

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Featured
Feb 15, 2019
Q&A: Yrsa Sigurdardottir, Author of THE RECKONING
Feb 15, 2019
Feb 15, 2019
Feb 14, 2019
Book Review: THE STRANGER DIARIES by Elly Griffiths
Feb 14, 2019
Feb 14, 2019
Feb 12, 2019
Q&A: Lucy Foley, Author of THE HUNTING PARTY
Feb 12, 2019
Feb 12, 2019
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May this cute little bear latte art brighten your day as much as it brightened mine. 🥰🙌🏻 •
So... guess who finished her latest read in just about 2 sittings...?! 🤔 It’s been just about forever since I binge-read a book quite as quickly as I did HUNTING GAME by Helene Tursten. And the greatest irony of all? I thought this was going to be a really slow-burning read that would take me a little while to get through. 😂 Here’s the thing: HUNTING GAME *is* a slow-burner of a story, but it’s also delightfully readable. This is a quiet sort of mystery; it’s grounded in reality and focused more on atmosphere-building & character development than flashy twists or gory violence. It’s got a fantastic premise that feels inspired by the “locked room mystery”: a group of hunters in rural Sweden are struck by tragedy when two of their own go missing, and suspicion falls on the group. 🔎 Tursten does a fantastic job crafting an immersive mystery that will keep you engaged with steady pacing, spare prose, and compact chapters. If you’re a fan of classic detective novels, it will be RIGHT up your alley. 👌🏻 •
Who here loves a good classic detective story?! 🕵🏻‍♀️ What are some of your favorites?
Wintry Nordic mystery with a strong female protagonist? Sign me up. 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤 Many thanks to Soho Press for my review copy of Helene Tursten’s HUNTING GAME, on sale February 26th! 🔎
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One of the questions I get most often is “don’t you ever get tired of reading crime novels?!” And the answer is, invariably, no - because the crime genre encompasses SO much. 🙌🏻 My personal trick that helps keep things fresh for me as a reader = I mix up the sub-genres I’m reading back to back. SO because my last read (THE WOMAN IN THE DARK) was a fast-paced psychological suspense novel, I’m opting to make my next read something more atmospheric & slow-burning - and Helene Tursten’s HUNTING GAME looks just the thing to suit my mood. 👌🏻🖤
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A little backstory: Helene Tursten is best known for her Irene Huss series, which has been translated into 18 languages (!) *and* adapted into a television series. BUT with her new book, HUNTING GAME, she launches a brand-new series featuring a totally new protagonist: Detective Inspector Embla Nyström. 🕵🏻‍♀️
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Embla Nyström is a 28-year old detective working for the police in Gothenburg, Sweden. Plagued by chronic nightmares and anxiety for as long as she can remember, Embla has learned to channel her emotions and anxious energy into her work, and into sports - she is both a talented hunter and a prize-winning welterweight boxer. 💪🏻 When readers meet her in HUNTING GAME, Embla is taking a vacation from her high-stress job, traveling to her uncle’s cabin in the countryside with a group of fellow hunters. But when a string of unsettling incidents occur, culminating in the disappearance of two of the group, Embla takes charge, delving into the dark past of her traveling companions in search of a killer. 🔎
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I’ve been loving the resurgence of “locked room” style mysteries we’ve been seeing lately - and HUNTING GAME sounds like it might have some similar structures to it!! 👌🏻 I’m excited to give this one a read. 🤓 What do you think: does this sound up your alley?! 🔎
🕵🏻‍♀️ FRIDAY GIVEAWAY 🕵🏻‍♀️ I’m so excited to team up with @Minotaur_Books to give away 5 hardcover copies of THE RECKONING, the brilliant new book by Yrsa Sigurdardottir! 🔎
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Yrsa Sigurdardottir (aka Iceland’s Queen of Crime 🇮🇸) is one of my favorite authors. 👌🏻 If you’re a fan of Nordic Noir, her books belong on your TBR! 🤓 This week, Yrsa’s newest book THE RECKONING went on sale in the US, & today on the blog I’m sharing a Q&A with Yrsa giving you a behind-the-scenes peek into the read! 🔎 In our Q&A, you can learn about the characters central to this story, the inspiration behind the book, how dangerous Iceland *really* is, & a whole lot more!! Direct link in my IG profile 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤
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SO to celebrate this book’s release, I’m teaming up with Minotaur to give 5 lucky readers a copy! 🤓 Enter below! •
GIVEAWAY RULES: 🔎 Giveaway closes 2/22
🔎 US entrants only 
TO ENTER:
🔎 Follow @minotaur_books & @crimebythebook 🔎 Like this photo & tag 2 friends in the comments 🔎 For one extra entry, share in your stories! 🔎 Reminder: giveaway not affiliated with or sponsored by Instagram. 
GOOD LUCK! 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤
PSA to my future Valentine: I really only want books for Valentine’s Day. 😉❤️ (Or a trip back to Iceland to visit this gorgeous bookstore would work, too! 😂) •
If you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day today, I hope you’re having a wonderful day!! If, like me, you’re celebrating another Thriller Thursday filled with good books, I hope you’re having a great day too 😉🤓 BUT speaking of things to love: today on my blog I’m sharing a full review of THE STRANGER DIARIES by Elly Griffiths, available in the US on March 5th! I absolutely adored this bookish mystery & its Gothic touches, and can’t wait for you guys to get your hands on it. 👌🏻🙌🏻 Direct link to my review in my IG profile! 🕵🏻‍♀️
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My plans tonight will involve making progress in my current read (THE WOMAN IN THE DARK by Vanessa Savage) annnd probably watching a horror movie with my roomie. 😂 I’m just about done with THE WOMAN IN THE DARK, and I’m definitely enjoying a good deal about it... but I’m still just not 100% sold. 🤔 I will say, though, that this book has improved quite significantly the more it’s progressed - it’s definitely becoming creepier & creepier, which I’m loving. 👌🏻 Full review to come on this one soon! •
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day... Who are some of your favorite “book boyfriends” and/or “book girlfriends”?! My fave book boyfriend is (obviously😂) Harry Hole, from Jo Nesbø’s series!🕵🏻‍♀️
Halfway through the week & halfway through my current read 🕵🏻‍♀️, both thanks to coffee. 😉☕️
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In case you missed it: yesterday on the blog I shared a Q&A with Lucy Foley, author of THE HUNTING PARTY - which went on sale in the US yesterday!! 🎉 I absolutely *loved* learning more about this fantastic atmospheric locked room mystery from its very talented author ♡ head to my website via the link in my IG profile to read the Q&A! 🤓
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In reading news... I’m happy to report my experience with my current read (THE WOMAN IN THE DARK by Vanessa Savage, on sale in March) has improved quite a bit!! 👌🏻 This story definitely got off to a rocky start, with rushed pacing & abrupt character introductions. But the more time I spend reading it, the more I’m getting into the flow of the story. It has a VERY creepy atmosphere, which I’m loving: a house known as the “Murder House”, aka a home where a terrible crime was committed. 😳 It’s definitely quite chilling, which I’m enjoying!! So far, I’m leaning towards making this one a book I’d recommend you borrow from your library, rather than spend $$ buying - but I’ll keep you guys posted as I reach the book’s conclusion! 👍🏻
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It’s the middle of the week, so let’s do some cheerleading for ourselves! What’s one thing you’ve accomplished so far this week that you’re particularly excited about?! For me, I’m excited because I *finally* feel on top of my content plans for my website - which was no small task. 😂
Wishing I could be at this pretty little coffee shop this afternoon with my current read ♡ •
I’m about 70-ish pages into THE WOMAN IN THE DARK by Vanessa Savage, and so far I’m having some mixed feelings. I love the concept behind this book: it’s totally creepy & chilling, and reminds me of a scary movie, which I love. 😉👌🏻 It’s also got a nice gloomy, chilling sense of place in the seaside town where the “Murder House” is - not to mention I love stories that center around buildings with dark histories! BUT so far my experience has been that it’s a bit abrupt somehow. 🤔 As in, I felt like I was dropped into the story without much introduction, and then the story has pretty quickly forward without enough time spent setting the scene/establishing the personalities and stories of each character. I’m definitely going to continue reading with an open mind - I’m just hoping I get a bit more backstory & depth of character development as the book progresses! I’ll keep you guys posted! •
What kind of settings do you find most compelling in a crime story?! Personally, I’m always drawn to stories that center around creepy houses with bizarre histories, psychiatric institutions, and/or Scandinavian cities/towns!! 😉🖤
Headed back to NYC & ready to dig into my next read, courtesy of @GrandCentralPub 🕵🏻‍♀️ THE WOMAN IN THE DARK by Vanessa Savage is available March 12th, & sounds all kinds of creepy 👌🏻 sign me up! •
Who here loves all things horror?! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I’m a HUGE horror movie fan, and I love crime novels that incorporate horror-inspired touches. 👌🏻 (E.g. FINAL GIRLS by Riley Sager, THE WEIGHT OF LIES by Emily Carpenter, & THE HIDING PLACE by C.J. Tudor, to name a few!) If this describes you, too, then my next read is one to keep your eye on. 🤓 The plot of this book makes me think of Season 1 of American Horror Story - anyone else?! (Read on for plot info!)
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THE WOMAN IN THE DARK follows a married couple whose life is shattered by the passing of wife Sarah’s mother. Mired in grief and depression at the loss of her mother, Sarah begins to lose a grip on her life. Her husband, Patrick, is desperate to help his wife process her grief and find her footing again. To give the family a fresh start, he moves them to the idyllic beachside home where he grew up. The only problem? The house has stood empty for 15 years, ever since the previous occupants were murdered within its walls. Patrick has faith this can be their dream home... but with the locals whispering that the house is haunted, Sarah can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right. Not with the house, not with the town, and not even with her beloved husband, whose stories of his childhood aren’t adding up... can Sarah uncover the secrets of the Murder House before another family is destroyed? 😳
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I’m totally here for thrillers that have horror touches to them, and this book sure sounds like it does!! I’m hoping this will be a creepy & spine-tingling read - I’ll keep you guys posted. 🕵🏻‍♀️ What do you think: does this sound up your alley?!
Saturday spent well: a latte ☕️, a good book 📖, & a whole lot of relaxation time 🙌🏻
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Feeling so pampered today & I’m loving it. 😉 I swapped out this latte ☝🏻 for a glass of wine 🍷 at my favorite hair salon this afternoon where I’m currently getting my hair done 😍 I haven’t had a real haircut in AGES and I’m feeling like a new woman already. 💁🏻‍♀️ PLUS I’ve got a great book to read while my hair dye processes, so that’s an added bonus. 🤓
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Guys, I’m HOOKED on MY LOVELY WIFE. 😱 I’ve gotten a TON of questions about this book, primarily relating to how dark or violent it is. Interestingly, this book is NOT violent or gory. It definitely deals with a dark premise, but there’s a levity to the story that’s super refreshing. I love a dark crime novel a whole lot, but sometimes it’s nice to mix it up - and if you’re in the mood for something lighter that still is definitely crime-y, this book is it. 👌🏻 This story is totally twisted: following a husband & wife who kill people for fun. 😳 BUT the author primarily focuses on the inner workings of their family/relationship, not on the actual murders. That’s something to keep in mind when deciding if this one is for you: if you want something that’s heavier or more focused on solving mysteries, this book won’t be what you’re looking for. BUT if you want something a bit wild & fun while still centering around dark subject matter, this will be up your alley. 🕵🏻‍♀️
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What are your Saturday plans?! I hope you’re having a great day!❤️
Fact: Central Park is beautiful in every season. 🖤🙌🏻
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Today on the blog I’m SO excited to share an author Q&A with the amazing C.J. Tudor, author of THE HIDING PLACE - a brilliant (& spine-tingling 😳) suspense novel that went on sale earlier this week!! 🕵🏻‍♀️ I had SO much fun reading C.J.’s responses to my questions, and am so excited to share them with you, too. 😍 in this Q&A, we cover everything from the inspiration behind THE HIDING PLACE to the crime books she’s recently read & loved to the next book she’s writing. 🤓🖤 Direct link to the Q&A in my IG profile!! •
In reading news, I’m CRUISING through MY LOVELY WIFE by Samantha Downing! I’m already ~150 pages in, and dying to keep reading. 🤓 This book is totally addictive and also CREEPY. I love the way the author takes a popular suspense concept - the idea that we don’t know our neighbors as well as we might think - and pushes it in a verrry unique & chilling direction. The comparison to Mr & Mrs Smith is spot-on. 👌🏻 There’s something deliciously wicked about this story - it’s unapologetically sinister and ALSO unapologetically fun to read. It’s an excellent, hugely entertaining combination. 🔎
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If you could interview ANY author out there... who would you pick?! 🤔
Not enough coffee in the world today guys. Not enough coffee in the world. ☕️😂 •
It’s been one of those “busy all day but what did I accomplish” kinda days today. 🙈 all I know is: at the end of a day like this, I’m SO glad I can look forward to going back to my apartment & digging in to an engrossing book. 🤓
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I started MY LOVELY WIFE by Samantha Downing on my subway ride to work this AM, and I’m totally hooked so far. 👌🏻 This book has a dark premise: a husband and wife who kill people together to keep their marriage interesting. 😳 BUT what I’m loving so far is that it somehow manages to be lighthearted too?! The premise for this book is undeniably a bit out there - and, going into it, my hope was that the author would have some fun with this wild concept... and  that’s exactly how it’s playing out so far! 🙌🏻 I’m still early in the book, but I’m already loving that the author doesn’t take herself too seriously. It’s definitely a dark story, no doubt about that, but there’s a certain levity to the author’s writing that makes the concept work really well - at least so far. 😉👌🏻 •
Do you guys tend to prefer darker, more intense crime stories? Or are you a fan of lighter suspense reads? 🕵🏻‍♀️

Twitter

  • Crime by the Book
    May this cute little bear latte art brighten your day as much as it brightened mine. 🥰🙌🏻 • So... guess who finishe… https://t.co/kJyiiOZ1Zf
    about 8 hours ago
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    RT @TheRealBookSpy: A Book Spy Review: ‘Her Father’s Secret’ by @sarablaedel @GrandCentralPub https://t.co/a8Til0Vm7R
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    Best use of time on my day off from work: a visit to @TheMysterious 🕵🏻‍♀️ https://t.co/BLav4rLrUC
    about a day ago
  • Crime by the Book
    So excited to dig into the newest from Helene Tursten: #HuntingGame, on sale in just about a week from @soho_press… https://t.co/H9QRbd7UjI
    about 2 days ago
  • Crime by the Book
    Wintry Nordic mystery with a strong female protagonist? Sign me up. 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤 Many thanks to Soho Press for my review… https://t.co/MZkrT18dox
    about 2 days ago

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